2220    Hazeldene

When our clients bought a small, tired 1960s bungalow in the Docking Conservation Area, their goal was to create a comfortable, sustainable holiday home for their family — without losing the charm of the original setting. The building was outdated and inefficient, but with a generous plot and good orientation, it offered real potential for transformation.

With sustainability at the heart of the brief, we worked closely with our clients to explore options and agreed that a sensitive extension and deep retrofit offered far greater long-term value than demolition and rebuild. Using PHPP energy modelling, we designed a low-embodied-carbon solution that would maximise performance within a carefully managed budget. Every design decision — from the building form to the choice of finishes — balanced environmental impact, practicality, and cost efficiency.

The result is a thermally efficient, light-filled home that makes the most of its south-facing aspect. A new eastern extension and reimagined roof structure create generous internal volume and flexibility, while a deep veranda provides summer shading. The asymmetrical roof optimises the angle for solar PV panels and allows for two versatile mezzanines overlooking the central living space.

What was once a dated bungalow is now a contemporary, low-energy retreat — a home that combines family comfort with environmental responsibility, and demonstrates how thoughtful design can bring new life to existing buildings.